A tale of two Hasina-era king's parties: Election over, so are they

Highlights: 

• The term King's Party refers to parties believed to be backed by the ruling regime to control opposition or weaken rivals
• Ahead of 2024 election, Election Commission registered 5 new parties, with BNM and Trinamool BNP gaining the most attention as king's parties
• Both parties aimed to become main opposition to AL but quickly vanished after polls
• Their registration and office addresses were surrounded by controversy

Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) and Trinamool BNP — known as king's parties from the Awami League era — sprang up before the 2024 general election but now seem to have vanished into thin air from the political landscape.

Both parties had high hopes of becoming the main opposition, but after the polls, they quickly fell off the radar, with most of their candidates losing their security deposits due to insufficient votes.

Controversy surrounded their registration from the beginning, as well as their office address. It can be said that their story feels like a political drama — one whose final chapter is yet to be written.

The term "King's Party" refers to a political party that is perceived to be backed by the ruling establishment to create a controlled opposition or to weaken existing political rivals.

Ahead of the 12th parliamentary election, the Election Commission (EC) registered five new political parties in 2023. Among them, the most talked about were the BNM and Trinamool BNP, both of which became known as king's parties.

One can only speculate what their fate might have been had the Awami League remained in power. However, after 15 years of rule, the Awami League was overthrown by a student-led uprising in August last year. Following AL's fall, the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, held several meetings with political parties, but these king's parties were never invited.

Controversy over central offices

BNM's journey began in Mohakhali, where its central office occupied two small rooms on the fourth floor of a building — one for operations and another for meetings. 

However, after the election schedule was announced, they shifted to a lavish office in Gulshan, where nomination forms were sold and candidates were selected. But the day after the election, the office fell silent, with leaders and activists seemingly vanishing.

Controversy arose over the office rent as well. The flat owner, Marfot Ali, told TBS that BNM was allowed to use the space rent-free for three months but overstayed. Eventually, on 25 February 2024, they were forcibly evicted.

BNM's current registered office is in Mohammadpur, but a visit reveals it to be a residential building with no party signage board. The security guard confirmed that the party chairman resides there and an office exists in one room, but it remains locked and inaccessible.

Trinamool BNP faces a similar situation. Their registered address with the Election Commission is Meherba Plaza in Paltan. However, a visit to the 16th floor reveals a lawyer's chamber instead. Surprisingly, this same chamber serves as the central office for two parties — Trinamool BNP and Bangladesh National Alliance (BNA).

The reception desk was empty, and repeated calls yielded no response. A neighboring office later informed that the chamber's occupant had gone to the washroom. When asked about Trinamool BNP, they simply said no one from the party visits the office.

Even the party's registered website, once listed with the Election Commission, is now inaccessible — disappearing just like the party itself.

Crushing election defeat

In the 2024 national election, both BNM and Trinamool BNP suffered a massive defeat. BNM fielded candidates in 56 constituencies, but all except one lost their security deposits. 

Similarly, none of Trinamool BNP's 135 candidates managed to secure a victory, with nearly all forfeiting their deposits.

Leaders admit party inactivity

Both parties remain politically inactive, with their leaders stating they are merely observing the situation. While BNM expresses hope for future revival, Trinamool BNP sounds more resigned.

BNM Chairman Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar said, "The timing isn't favorable, so we are not actively engaged in any activities. Right now, we are forming committees in new areas." 

"We are observing the situation. If things go well, our party will become active again," he added.

On the other hand, Trinamool BNP Secretary General Taimur Alam Khandaker admitted, "Our party has no activities, nor do we have any plans to become politically active."

When asked whether the party might disappear, he replied, "Yes, it could." 

Taimur cited the lack of political balance in the country, saying, "Aside from certain parties, it's difficult to do politics for the rest. During elections, candidates from those parties simply buy out everyone else."